Wednesday, December 16, 2009

If You Want to Increase Your REE, You’re at the Right Place


by Johnathan Davis

One recent study was conducted to determine the effect of full-body resistance training utilizing an eccentric protocol. This study was done to establish how long this type of training can elevate our body’s metabolism compared to other methods of resistance training. Sixty to seventy-five percent of the total energy used by our bodies every day is due to our resting energy expenditure (REE). If we are able to elevate how much energy our bodies are requiring for our baseline REE, then we can increase our chances at burning fat and loosing weight. The cool thing about all of this is that the X Gym utilizes eccentric protocols a ton and has been doing so long before this study was even conducted!

The main finding of the study was that a person can significantly increase his or her REE up to 72 hours post exercise using an eccentric protocol method (Hackney, Kyle J; Engels, Hermann-J; Gretebeck, Randall J., 2008). Participants performed eight exercises, eight sets, and six repetitions using a 1-second concentric and 3-second eccentric muscle action duration. Additional information about the controls and methods used in this study can be found in the article listed below.

Previously, other similar studies were conducted using other lifting methods but either did not emphasize the eccentric protocol or did not include a full-body body workout (for instance one study was conducted using a single, lower-body leg exercise). Prior to this study, an elevated REE had not been observed for such a long duration post workout. This information is important because it demonstrates the increase in REE after the type of workouts we do at the X Gym may help members lose weight if they maintain a negative energy balance.

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